I read today on a website that Agave is processed in an extremely energy-intensive way that is similar to the way corn is processed into high-fructose corn syrup and that most Agave sold in the stores are 70-80% fructose and that we should look for one that is no more than 30-40% fructose.On THIS website all blood types are listed as NEUTRAL for Agave. What is your opinion on this information? I am a type O nonsecretor. Is it OK for me? I think you said honey has a lower glycemic index but it's an AVOID for me.

have read the same thing - I don't know which ones are the good brands I try to stick with local honey and BS molasses. But i do LOVE the taste of agave - especially in my green tea and in my oatmeal (very small amounts).

I totally agree with Andrea. If you decide to bake with a cup of agave instead of using sugar...and then sit down to a portion or two...you're likely to be consuming ten days or more worth of your SWAMI's recommendation for sweeteners. Like fat portions...measuring out what you can havein a day is the only way not to throw your body out of balance or risk the negative health effectsof foods that should be eaten in moderation.

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.....they know how to make the best of everything!"

"The process by which agave glucose and inulin are converted into “nectar” is similar to the process by which corn starch is converted into HFCS. The agave starch is subject to an enzymatic and chemical process that converts the starch into a fructose-rich syrup—anywhere from 70 percent fructose and higher according to the agave nectar chemical profiles posted on agave nectar websites.

Compare that to the typical fructose content of high fructose corn syrup (55%)!

... Agave nectar is not traditional, is highly refined, and actually has more concentrated fructose than high-fructose corn syrup. It is not a “natural” sweetener. Thus far, the evidence definitely points toward the conclusion: Agave Nectar = Bad."

Other reading: Agave: Nectar of the Gods? Agave nectar was first introduced to the U.S. market in Anaheim, California, at the 1995 Natural Products Expo West, the nation’s largest natural, organic and healthy products trade show. Marketeers have touted this tempting sweetener from Mexico for...http://www.westonaprice.org/modern-foods/agave-nectar-of-gods

Agave nectar consists primarily of fructose and glucose. One source gives 92% fructose and 8% glucose; another gives 56% fructose and 20% glucose. These differences, it is presumed, reflect variation from one vendor of agave nectar to another. Agave nectar's glycemic index and glycemic load are comparable to fructose, which in turn has a much lower glycemic index and glycemic load than table sugar (sucrose). However, consumption of large amounts of fructose can be deleterious and can trigger fructose malabsorption, metabolic syndrome, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and accelerated uric acid formation.

"Agave syrup (nectar) is basically high-fructose corn syrup masquerading as a health food.... Agave nectar has a low-glycemic index for one reason only: it's largely made of fructose, which although it has a low-glycemic index, is probably the single most damaging form of sugar when used as a sweetener. With the exception of pure liquid fructose, agave nectar has the highest fructose content of any commercial sweetener." -- Dr. Jonny Bowden

I use it infrequently and prefer vegetable glycerine for baking. I try to go with what the GTD says and ignore what is in the mass media. They allready call the GTD and BTD quackery then go on to talk about the "flavor of the day diet".

Be kind to everyone; be persistent with health!Autumn: Harvest, success.

Posts: 488

Gender: Female

Location: Sydney, N.S.W., Australia

Age: 53

Interesting topic, I must admit, agave nectar is one of my favourites (best to buy raw agave, darker one); I like the darker sweeteners like this and maple syrup, molasses; more minerals and more yang quality, I am GT 'hunter'.I still think sweeteners must be in moderation, I will look into where I can buy veg glycerine.I used to use lots of rice syrup, but don't buy it as my health declined over last few years.Our ancestors did not eat much of sweeteners, I think we just need a little fresh fruit every day for our sweetness, some variety and eat locally produced if possible, organic. Sweeteners are more a real treat. There is also carbon foot print as some sweeteners are imported. Just use btd fruit, even a date or two, or prune! Let's keep up with our protein/fats, veggies and our cravings or desire for cookies, sweets etc will be less too, just a thought! I know what's it's like, I have a sweet tooth!!

I trust Dr D over "random information from the internet" when it comes to dietary advice. As an O nonnie, most sweeteners are "avoid" for me, including the "all natural" ones such as maple syrup and honey. I have a very short list of compliant sweeteners, and agave is on that list. Molasses and blackstrap molasses work in some things, but the strong flavor just doesn't work everywhere, so I always keep agave in the house.

I don't eat large quantities of sweeteners, period. I only eat 1-3 teaspoons a day, and not every single day.

The "conclusion" is clear all right! It is clear that they don't know what they are talking about! I was thinking about this screed the other day and wondered when it would appear on the forum again...... Those people do have a way with their "pronouncements." Agave is no less than a DIAMOND superfood for me!!!!! But that doesn't mean that I indulge to my heart's content. A teaspoon here or there....... I just had a small piece of Rice/Almond bread with sugar-beet syrup on it with a spoonful of almond butter. A small majestical snack!

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." -- Benjamin Franklin

OH NO!!! * head spinning*...the fructose...the prebiotic bacteria...this must have combined the past week or so to help give me the beginnings of the ulcer I had the other day, eating casssava and white beans! In fact, ever since I've used agave, I am NOT digesting things the way I did LAST MONTH! *RUNNING SHRIEKING INTO THE HILLS*..................>>>>>>>>> !!!!!!!!

Mortal life is a stay in a vast hospital ward. (Eastern Orthodoxy +)

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. (Churchill)

If this is a prebiotic, maybe the symptoms from eating it are a STRONG message that the stomach is needing a major overhaul!!!!! It doesn't bother me at all. But I have been taking probiotics since I was young. I use Blue Agave.

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." -- Benjamin Franklin

I intensely dislike agave.. True. Sugar is bad. A's however can tolerate it better than any other BT. Sugar is sugar. I've replace sugar with other forms like dates, maple syrup, honey etc. but it comes down to the same effect on the body IMO, which I go by weight loss. I bet you can go diabetic eating too many dates.. Only not using suagar at all makes a difference. I do like using maple syrup as a sweetner.. I try to limit the 1 tsp a day. You could probably work off extra sugar through exercise. People don't realize that.

Friendly reminder. The amounts for the sweeteners in the SWAMI reports are : 0 - 1 tsp. daily.And so, 0 is not a bad thing! Also, if a baked good has 4 Tbs. of any sweetener, and it is divided into 12 portions, each portion has 1 tsp. of sweetener. That would mean a dozen cookies would have to last 12 days. I can easily eat 3 cookies in one sitting and this is why I very rarely have desserts! Glycerin is used differently by the body according to Dr. D'Adamo and so if I do bake, I either add glycerin or my compliant fruit as sweetener.

The other day my son who I believe is a hunter said that he notices now that if he indulges a little here and there in only a three day span, his shirts seem to mysteriously shrink. And then when he put the reins on, his shirts fit again! I call this accordion body and told him it gets worse as we age if we are not careful!

The other day my son who I believe is a hunter said that he notices now that if he indulges a little here and there in only a three day span, his shirts seem to mysteriously shrink. And then when he put the reins on, his shirts fit again! I call this accordion body and told him it gets worse as we age if we are not careful!

My O son I believe is a Hunter. He's thin and his muscles are very pronounced. He has to work hard to keep his weight up. He's always on the hunt too.